The Royal Navy has formally accepted its first autonomous minesweeping systems into service, delivering a long-awaited capability aimed at countering modern naval mine threats, according to a press release.
The system, known as SWEEP, was developed and manufactured in the UK by Dorset-based TKMS Atlas UK Ltd under a £25 million contract. It marks the Royal Navy’s first operational minesweeping capability since 2005 and is intended to support future autonomous mine countermeasures as outlined in the government’s Strategic Defence Review.
SWEEP combines unmanned surface vessels with remotely controlled payloads designed to detect and neutralise digital sea mines. These mines are capable of identifying the acoustic and magnetic signatures of ships and submarines. The system’s autonomy allows it to be operated remotely from land or sea-based command centres, increasing crew safety while maintaining sea lane access.
Jonathan Reed-Beviere, Mine Hunting Capability Programme Director for the Royal Navy, described the system as “truly transformational,” noting that it can simulate a ship’s signature to safely detonate sea mines. “The portable, flexible system is vital to protecting ships from modern mine threats,” he said, “and will restore a minesweeping capability the Royal Navy has lacked since 2005.”
Three SWEEP units have been delivered, and the Ministry of Defence says the contract has supported 55 highly skilled jobs in Dorset and across the UK. The systems are designed to integrate with other autonomous mine warfare platforms, including the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme and SeaCat unmanned underwater vehicles.
Defence Minister Maria Eagle said the introduction of SWEEP aligns with the UK’s shift toward a hybrid naval force. “This is the first time that the Royal Navy has autonomous minesweeping capability available, delivering on the Strategic Defence Review’s vision,” she stated. “This investment supports highly skilled jobs… and helps to keep Britain and our sailors safer.”
Andy Lapsley, Mine Hunting Capability Team Leader at DE&S, added that the systems are intended to support freedom of manoeuvre for UK naval assets. “These three SWEEP systems will help to ensure Royal Navy personnel can combat the evolving global threat of naval mines more effectively and more safely,” he said.
TKMS Atlas UK Managing Director Antoni Mazur called the entry into service “an incredibly proud moment,” highlighting the company’s longstanding work with the Ministry of Defence and the system’s UK-based production.
The acceptance of SWEEP adds to a growing portfolio of autonomous systems entering naval service, reflecting broader defence goals to modernise the fleet and reduce risk to personnel through increased automation.
What does a “system” comprise?
The new Sweep System comprises of, ” 4 new handles and 6 new heads”.
Cushty.
a skill that the Americans couldn’t match in their LCS design and operatikn.
Hi Daniele, it looks like 1 system includes 1USV with three ‘sense and avoid’ units in tow (as pictured at top), as well as a TEU control centre. The USV has C3 autonomy, and can be programmed with the 3 S&A units into different ‘sweeping configurations’. USV contains a large power pack so the Sweeper units can detect the mines and cycle through acoustic effects to find the correct ‘trigger signature’ for a particular mine. Will be used for digital mines only as far as I can tell. Just had a browse of the Atlas E website and they have a promotional style pdf – not a great deal of info other than this^
Morning Nate.
Thank you.
I’ve always struggled to get my head round these things vs conventional MCMV that at least can self deploy and do other stuff.
This is once again another fantastic development showcasing Britain’s World class state of the art, Sweeping edge technology designed to keep the vast Oceans and waterways free from threats.
I can now go RC Boating on Henley boating lake without fear of being blown to smitherines.
“It’s a big arsed Ocean”.
“We’re going to need a bigger boat”.
“One Ping”.
There’s more but it’s early.
Call me an old pessimist, but it’s mcm on the cheap. It won’t work when needed and all sorts of excuses will fly around ie, the wrong type of sea and “what do you expect for £25 million”.
OK, You’re an old pessimist.
I thought so too, I was just throwing it out there.
I was only responding to your request.
However, I do find it hard to believe this system is a 24/7 system in anything but calm conditions and in places like the Clyde/Gare Loch, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Milford Haven and a few other localised inshore places. If so then I’m sure they will be smash it but in more open water ?
“Look after your broom”.
It’s not cheap, it’s world beating. MCM in plastic manned boats is like hunting elephant guns with elephants, it’s a suicide mission. As the article points out we haven’t had mine sweeping capability since 2005. modern mines are torpedos that sit on cluttered sea beds lying in wait and can track ships with multiple sensors. They are nearly impossible to find.
That’s why we developed this system and it’s better than anything else in the world.
It can also be deployed by a frigate anywhere in the world instead of a barley armed plastic boat that needs to be transported over major ocean distances.
I look forward to lots and lots of overseas orders.
Thank you for highlighting the systems advantages, you are obviously more clued up on this system than I am.
So, if they replace the front end of a particular sweep one year, and the back end the next year, is it still the same sweep or can it be designated as new one? Asking for a friend in the MOD.